help choosing SQ amp

[jamesdean 10+ year member]

looking for some personal opinions preferably based on prior experience.

I'm trying to choose between two four channel amps to run my front CDT componets and rear Rainbow coax.

1. Arc Kar 400.4 or

2. Zapco reference 360.4

any help would be greatly apreciated

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[edzy 10+ year member]

Out of those 2, I would go Zapco. The Arc will probly be a bit cheaper thou. Both would be good. So if money is a factor, Arc, if not , Zapco.

If you are looking for extreme SQ amps, Check out Tube drive, Butler, Helix, Tru, sinfoni, Brax.

 

[jamesdean 10+ year member]

thanx but why would u choose zapco? I've also found an Arc Kar 600.4. would u still go with the Zapco?

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

no such thing as an "SQ amp". you could make a hifonics sound good if you know what you're doing.

 

[Memphisv-tec428 10+ year member]

Arc Kar 600.4 all the way man, killer amps

 

[edzy 10+ year member]

I chose Zapco for personal prefrence. Very solid amps and very versitile. The refrence line is a sq driven amp. I have 4 Zapcos, and never had any issues. Those arc amps look nice as well, but its all personal prefrence.

 

[jamesdean 10+ year member]

thanx for the brilliant response tc guy, but it doesn't help me choose between 3 amps I asked about.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

thanx for the brilliant response tc guy, but it doesn't help me choose between 3 amps I asked about.

sorry just tellin ya the facts. if you're truly worried about SQ the amp is not the biggest concern

sorry.

 

[NCI-Grinder 10+ year member]

I agree with TCguy. The headunit is what matters most IMO. I'd say Zapco myself. But I'd rather have a Helix or Brax.

 

[jamesdean 10+ year member]

I agree with TCguy. The headunit is what matters most IMO. I'd say Zapco myself. But I'd rather have a Helix or Brax.

Ok, on that note then, I'm on a limited budget and would LOVE to own a heli or brax but can't afford it. I'm looking at the Alpine 9887 for my HU. will that be a good SQ unit for under $400????

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

I agree with TCguy. The headunit is what matters most IMO. I'd say Zapco myself. But I'd rather have a Helix or Brax.

it's all in the install. you could buy $10,000 worth of the best stuff and set it up wrong and it'll sound like dookie.

the things needed for SQ are processing(HU) and the drivers, correct driver placement, and enough power. the amps themselves should not change the way anything sounds. then after all that you need to sit and tune tune tune.

 

[NCI-Grinder 10+ year member]

Ok, on that note then, I'm on a limited budget and would LOVE to own a heli or brax but can't afford it. I'm looking at the Alpine 9887 for my HU. will that be a good SQ unit for under $400????

A nice used Eclipse 8051. I love mine.

 

[NCI-Grinder 10+ year member]

it's all in the install. you could buy $10,000 worth of the best stuff and set it up wrong and it'll sound like dookie.
the things needed for SQ are processing(HU) and the drivers, correct driver placement, and enough power. the amps themselves should not change the way anything sounds. then after all that you need to sit and tune tune tune.

Yea, all that work is why I didn't go SQ in my car lol.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

Ok, on that note then, I'm on a limited budget and would LOVE to own a heli or brax but can't afford it. I'm looking at the Alpine 9887 for my HU. will that be a good SQ unit for under $400????

good SQ HU? the 9887 will do. another option is the 880prs from pioneer.

 

[jamesdean 10+ year member]

it's all in the install. you could buy $10,000 worth of the best stuff and set it up wrong and it'll sound like dookie.
the things needed for SQ are processing(HU) and the drivers, correct driver placement, and enough power. the amps themselves should not change the way anything sounds. then after all that you need to sit and tune tune tune.

Thank u for clarifying your original answer. I take back and apologize for my smartass remark. I'm just getting frustrated trying to put together a good system on a budget.